Care Homes in Grays
Grays has 9 CQC registered care homes. 8 are rated Good, 1 Requires improvement. 7 of the 9 were last inspected more than three years ago.
Source: Care Quality Commission register, kept up to date as ratings change.
Grays at a glance
What the local numbers say about care for older people in Grays, to help you judge the options below.
- Thurrock Council pays, residential care: £844 a week. Self-funders are typically asked £1,421 to £1,708, median £1,582
- Care home beds filled across Thurrock: 92%. The 12 month average is 94%.
- Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 75+: 50
- People aged 75 and over: 11,900. Rising to 12,800 by 2035, up 7%
- Care homes, last 12 months: 0 opened, 1 closed. 1 changed owner, covering 8 beds.
- Who pays, across Thurrock (estimate): 77% council, 16% self. The rest is NHS funded or other.
- Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 1,500. Rising to 1,800 by 2035, up 17%
- People aged 85 and over: 2,900. Rising to 4,100 by 2035, up 39%
Planned and recent building work within 5 miles
- Land Adjacent Dell Road And Orsett Road Grays Essex. Application for a 82 bed care home. Submitted 10 October 2025. Approved 27 February 2026. (0.7 miles away)
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Market model built 22 October 2026 (ONS 2022 based population projections, CQC register), published care home prices, council planning records.
Choosing the right residential care home in Grays
Families searching for a residential care home in Grays currently have nine providers to consider through Care Assura. Of these, eight hold a Good rating from the Care Quality Commission and one is rated Requires Improvement, giving a broadly positive picture of local standards. Taking time to compare homes carefully helps ensure the setting matches your relative's personality, health needs and daily routines.
What to look for on a visit
A tour tells you far more than a brochure. Notice how staff speak to residents, whether communal areas feel lived in, and if activities are actually taking place rather than just listed on a noticeboard. Homes such as Meesons Lodge, Allensmead, The Barn and Coach, Hollywood Rest Home, Avalon, The Whitecroft, Gallimore Lodge and Hollyrose House all currently hold Good ratings, while A M Care Home Limited is rated Requires Improvement, which is worth discussing openly with the manager if you visit.
Matching the home to the person
Think about location relative to family, whether a ground floor room is important, and how the home handles changing needs over time. Ask about staff turnover, meal choices, and how residents are supported to maintain hobbies or faith practices. A shortlist of two or three homes usually gives a realistic basis for comparison without becoming overwhelming.
Arranging and paying for a care home place
Before choosing a provider, most families begin with a care needs assessment. This is a free conversation with a social care professional who looks at daily living, mobility, memory, medication and safety, then recommends the level of support required. The assessment is the gateway to any local authority involvement in funding or planning.
How Thurrock Council supports the process
You can request an assessment directly through Thurrock Council Adult Social Care, which is the authority responsible for adult social care in Grays. If the person needs residential care and has savings below the national threshold, Thurrock Council will carry out a financial assessment and may contribute towards fees. Where savings are above the threshold, the placement is usually self funded, though the council can still offer guidance and arrange the place on your behalf.
Typical cost context
Residential care fees in Grays vary depending on the home, room type and level of support included. Nursing input is not usually part of a residential placement, so costs tend to sit below those of a nursing home. Always ask for a written breakdown showing what is included in the weekly fee and what might be charged separately, such as hairdressing, chiropody or outings.
9 care homes in Grays
- Meesons Lodge · Grays, Thurrock · CQC Good
- Hollywood Rest Home · Grays, Thurrock · CQC Good
- Gallimore Lodge · Grays, Thurrock · CQC Good
- The Barn and Coach · Grays, Thurrock · CQC Good
- A M Care Home · Grays, Thurrock · CQC Requires improvement
- Allensmead · Grays, Thurrock · CQC Good
- Avalon · Grays, Thurrock · CQC Good
- Hollyrose House · Grays, Thurrock · CQC Good
- The Whitecroft · Grays, Thurrock · CQC Good
What care costs in Thurrock, per week
| Type of care | What the council pays | What self-funders are typically asked |
|---|---|---|
| Residential care East of England figure, because too few Thurrock homes publish this price. 44 homes. Median £1,582. | £844 | £1,421 to £1,708 |
| Nursing care East of England figure, because too few Thurrock homes publish this price. 17 homes. Median £1,935. | £977 | £1,800 to £2,126 |
| Residential dementia care East of England figure, because too few Thurrock homes publish this price. 33 homes. Median £1,785. | Not published separately | £1,602 to £1,877 |
| Nursing dementia care East of England figure, because too few Thurrock homes publish this price. 10 homes. Median £1,940. | Not published separately | £1,870 to £2,100 |
Published prices are often starting prices, and come from homes that publish fees, so treat them as a guide. Ask the home for its own price. Powered by Orrery Intelligence.
Inspected most recently
- A M Care Home Limited, 18 March 2026, Requires improvement
- Gallimore Lodge, 22 December 2025, Good
- The Whitecroft, 8 June 2023, Good
Longest since a report
- Hollyrose House, 7 February 2018, Good
- Hollywood Rest Home, 7 February 2019, Good
- Allensmead, 19 February 2019, Good
Frequently asked questions about care homes in Grays
How many care homes are there in Grays?
Grays has 9 CQC registered care homes: 8 Good, 1 Requires improvement. Counts come from the CQC register and are kept up to date as ratings change.
How much does a care home cost in Grays?
Thurrock Council pays an average of £844 a week for residential care. Self-funders are typically asked £1,421 to £1,708 a week. East of England figure, because too few Thurrock homes publish this price. 44 homes. Median £1,582. Published prices are often starting prices, and come from homes that publish fees, so treat them as a guide. Ask the home for its own price.
Which care homes in Grays were inspected most recently?
A M Care Home Limited (18 March 2026), Gallimore Lodge (22 December 2025) and The Whitecroft (8 June 2023) have the most recent CQC reports.